The Columbus Crew earned a second-straight win Saturday night, defeating 15th-place Eastern Conference rivals Philadelphia Union by two goals and earning a clean sheet. Max Arfsten’s opening strike gave the Black & Gold a quick advantage, and an own goal from the visitors just before half-time provided a comfortable cushion. The result sees the Crew move into 8th place in the Eastern Conference on 12 points, ahead of FC Cincinnati on goal differential.

In a fitting echo of the pre-match pyrotechnics, the Black & Gold got things started with a bang in the 5th minute, taking an early lead over the visitors. Dylan Chambost started the move from the Crew’s half, attempting a lobbed left-footed through ball into space on the right flank intended for Arfsten. Phillippe Ndinga was there to intercept, but miscontrolled the ball, knocking it directly into Arfsten’s path. The Crew’s USMNT star burst into the penalty area with pace before slotting the ball precisely between Andre Blake’s legs and into the back of the net for his third goal, and sixth goal contribution this season.

Within two minutes of the opener, Arfsten was driving forward yet again, thanks to a precise through ball from Taha Habroune from behind the halfway line. With three defenders on his tail, Arfsten sprinted twenty-five yards with the ball until he was face-to-face with Blake at the 18-yard line. He struck the ball low, toward the middle-right of the goal, but Blake was attuned to the threat this time, diving and pushing the ball out for a corner with his left glove.

Philadelphia Union nearly found an equalizer in the 15th minute, but Milan Iloski’s effort was denied by the woodwork. Danley Jean Jacques carried the ball down the right flank for the visitors and played a short through ball to Iloski near the edge of the six-yard box. Iloski executed what could be described as an attempted pass or a shot, the ball skipping past the Crew’s defense across the box and ricocheting off the left post.

The Back & Gold doubled their lead in the dwindling moments of first-half injury time through persistence and a few touches of luck. Sekou Bangoura floated a lobbed through ball into the path of Arfsten’s central forward run. Once in the penalty area, Arfsten tusseled with Ndinga before cutting the ball across the box to Habroune. Before Habroune could make contact, Nathan Harriel slid in, attempting a clearance which ultimately found its way into the Union’s own net after Harriel knocked the ball off Blake, and back onto himself hard enough to go directly into the net from close range.

Deep into injury time, in the 90+5th minute, Japhet Sery Larsen received a red card, leaving the Union with 10 players for the remainder of the match. The challenge in question saw Sery Larsen take down Jamal Thiare, who only had the defender to beat on his way toward goal, by grabbing the forward’s shoulder across his back and pulling him down.

Confident Crew

The Black & Gold have had a rough go at it this season. Lurking outside the playoff spots, the team has struggled to adapt to new coach Henrik Rydström’s playing style, posted a lackluster home record (and away as well, frankly), and has already lost DP forward Wessam Abou Ali for the entire season through an ACL and meniscus tear. But tonight’s win against Philadelphia exhibited the Crew at its best—connecting passes, creating dangerous counterattacks, and being in the right spots to take advantage when luck goes your way. One would be forgiven for forgetting that, before this week, and before the Black & Gold’s midweek home win over LA Galaxy, this Crew side had not recorded a single home win and had only scored one goal at home all season. The result makes it two wins in two for the Crew—both at home, and both at just the right time to keep players’ and fans’ hopes afloat amidst the turbulence. As much as it would have been easier to start the season with two successive wins, adjustment takes time, and the Black & Gold may finally be realizing that potential.

Farsi Returns

Although a brief cameo, Mohamed Farsi made his long-awaited return to the field for the Black & Gold against Philadelphia Union, appearing for the first time since July 2025. As an MLS Next Pro champion with Columbus Crew 2 in 2022, an MLS Cup champion in 2023 after rising to the senior team, and a Leagues Cup champion in 2024, Farsi has cemented himself as a reliable stalwart in the Black & Gold’s recent successful campaigns, and his presence was recognized by the roar of the home crowd upon his introduction in the 81st minute.

What’s Next? 

The Columbus Crew takes on USL League One side ONE Knoxville SC in the Round of 16 of the U.S. Open Cup this Wednesday, April 29th, at 7:30 p.m. ET, at Scotts Miracle-Gro Field.